Harvest mite bites in 2025?

[C_Claycomb]

Most years, I come away from the Moot with at least a couple of ugly, itchy, bites in places that a mosquito could not possibly get. Inside waist band, under arm, under socks while wearing long trousers. Bloomin’ “harvest mites” or UK chiggers! I first encountered the whee beastie responsible decades ago, and had my worst brushes with them in Septembers in the early 2000s, but I usually get one every time I squeeze behind my shed to beat back the weeds…or go to the Moot. This year though, none at the Moot, and only two picked up all summer.

Literature says ticks need humid micro climates to avoid drying out, and I wonder if the microscopic harvest mites might be the same. Not a lot of moisture around these days, even at ground level.

Anyone else notice fewer of the blighters so far this year? I usually hear a couple people complaining about their mysterious bites, but not this year.

Chris

 

[Pattree]

Not yet.
I start mowing the lawn grass and cutting back the hedges at the end of this month. That’s when I usually takes my lumps.

 

[Toddy]

Funny you should ask that; we have had a very, very light year of midgies, and I have only had one cleg bite...and we live next to a tree lined burn. Himself hasn't even had many ticks, though we've had a few berry bug bites, but again, not as many as in previous years.

For us, it's been a very dry year, albeit with days of torrential rain, but on the whole, dry.

 

[Kadushu]

Anthocorids are getting a feast out of me this summer.

 

[Falstaff]

Wha? So that's what those were on my ankles & inside socks ...gone now but gave me a fright.
- I was afraid I was getting shingles, a family genetic pass-down, but they won't give me the GKF anti-shingles shot. Apparently you have to be either exactly 65 or 70, not younger or in-between.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

They appeared early this year, they had already started to bite in the second half of july. Surprising since we're in a drought & of course, it's blinking hot (35°C as I'm posting this.) They usually start after things get a little damp but what do I know.

 

[C_Claycomb]

I spoke too soon. Have had seven bites since end of August, five in just the past week, but think I managed to kill the little blighters for the last two before they really got to work.

It is a great shame that Prevent pyrethrum insect repellent was taken off the market. I still have a tiny bottle and use a drop of that on any new bite I detect in the early stages. It kills the mite.

Most bites are in places one cannot easily see for oneself with a torch and magnifying lens. Those that are accessible, I sometimes manage to see the microscopic orange mite in the act and remove with a needle or fine pointed tweezers (too tiny to pinch, it’s more about scraping it away).

 

[nigelp]

I have had a few bites the last couple of weeks that I think are mites. I’m going spray some repellent about when I’m out next.